What's happening
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to guarantee the right to hunt, trap, and fish in New York State.
Why it matters
Elevates hunting, trapping, and fishing to a constitutional right. By embedding these activities in the state constitution, this amendment would make it significantly harder for future legislatures or regulatory agencies to ban or severely restrict them, regardless of changing public opinion or political pressures.
Prioritizes traditional practices and heritage. The language emphasizes that these activities are a valued part of New York’s heritage, which could influence how courts interpret future conflicts between wildlife management and animal rights or environmental advocacy groups.
Preserves state authority, but limits regulatory flexibility. While the amendment allows for “reasonable regulation,” it also mandates that management must support “continued opportunity” for these activities. This could constrain the state’s ability to enact strong conservation measures or respond quickly to ecological crises by limiting or suspending hunting, trapping, or fishing.
Potential impact on wildlife and conservation policy. By constitutionally guaranteeing these rights, the amendment could shift the focus of wildlife management decisions, possibly giving greater weight to the interests of hunters, anglers, and trappers over other recreational users or conservation priorities.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Protect Right to Hunt, Fish
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
8 Co-sponsors
2 Multi-sponsors
History
- Opinion referred to judiciary
- To attorney-general for opinion
- Referred to environmental conservation
- Opinion referred to judiciary
- To attorney-general for opinion
- Referred to environmental conservation
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Protect Right to Hunt
In Senate Committee · Judiciary · Sponsor Robert Ortt
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
534
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 9, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. GUNTHER, STECK, COOK, PALMESANO, GIGLIO, McLAUGH- LIN, BARCLAY, MONTESANO -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. HAWLEY, STEC -- read once and referred to the Committee on Environmental Conservation
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY proposing an amendment to the constitution, in relation to the right to hunt, trap and fish
Section 1. Resolved (if the Senate concur), That article 20 of the constitution be renumbered article 21 and a new article 20 be added to read as follows:
ARTICLE XX
Right to Hunt, Trap and Fish
Section 1. Hunting, trapping, and fishing and the taking of wild animals, birds and fish are a valued part of our heritage and will be forever preserved for the people. Fish and wildlife shall be managed by state laws and regulations that provide persons with the continued opportunity to take, by traditional means and methods, species traditionally pursued by hunters, anglers and trappers. Fish and wildlife management, including taking, shall be consistent with the state's duty to protect this heritage and its duty to conserve wild animals, birds, and fish, and shall be subject to reasonable regulation as prescribed by state statute.
§ 2. Resolved (if the Senate concur), That the foregoing amendment be referred to the first regular legislative session convening after the next succeeding general election of members of the Assembly, and, in conformity with section 1 of article 19 of the constitution, be published for 3 months previous to the time of such election.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD89034-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.